The Fallacy of Fig Leaves

Karen Yarnell, March 11, 2014

The feeling of shame.

What I said and did.

What I did not do and did not say.

What follows is guilt and the desire to cover my shame somehow.

With words.

With actions.

 

I am not alone in this endeavor. In the garden, Eve, along with Adam, tried to cover her sin with sewn-together fig leaves.

And Hide.

From God.

 

At first, Adam and Eve were naked and not ashamed. They enjoyed the fellowship of God. A transaction occurred, exchanging fellowship for fear.

The fallacy that fig leaves could cover the shame of sin deceives us all. We cannot cover our own sin. We cannot construct a garment of any design or any fabric that would cover sin and remove shame. Pride tells me that I can, when only God can.

The One from whom they were hiding provided.

He shed blood and used the skin of the animal to cover their shame.

He required the shedding of blood in the worship of His children, Israel, in the tabernacle and the temple. Blood was shed and sprinkled on the Mercy Seat, the covering of the Ark of the Covenant, so that they would know that sacrifice was required to cover sin and shame.

He provided an eternal covering at the cross, where Jesus shed his sinless blood for my sin and for yours.

 

No more need for shame and the senseless effort to cover our sin.

For “if we confess our sin, He is faithful to forgive us our sin and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9

 

No more,

Bearing the burden of my sin

Weary eyes

Slumped shoulders

Trying to be good enough.

 

“How much more will the blood of Christ, Who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?”  (Heb 9:14)

“For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.” (Gal 3:27)

 

Father,

Please help me trade shame for true repentance and obedience.

In Jesus name,

Amen